Schoolboy's killer urged to come forward

Police in Liverpool have made an appeal to Rhys Jones's killer to turn himself in.

Pc Robbie Pritchard, who works in the Croxteth area, said: "I ask you, the person who fired the gun, and you, the people who know what happened that night, how can you look at yourself in the mirror for the rest of your life knowing what you have done?

"I would ask you to face the truth and hand yourself in to police.

"I urge you please for the sake of Rhys and his family to come and tell us what happened. Doing nothing is not an option."

The gunman, who was seen wearing a hooded top, made his escape shortly after shooting Rhys in the neck as he was making his way home from football practice on August 22.

One of Rhys's friends spoke about his shock and pain at a 45-minute community vigil at Croxteth Hall and Country Park in Liverpool.

The nine-year-old had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone as he spoke in his Liverpool tracksuit.

He said the sudden death had been a great shock and asked God to comfort all who had been upset at Rhys's death.

Local residents brought their children to the ceremony, many in the red and blue football strips of the city's two clubs and an Everton scarf was tied to the tiny podium.

Rhys's parents Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, lit a candle at the service in memory of their son.

The couple sat silently alongside Rhys's brother Owen, 17.

June Simm, a teacher at nearby Fazakerley High School, said the Croxteth community had experienced "an almost overwhelming sense of grief and sadness".

She said: "Sadness and grief for a little boy, Rhys Jones, who lost his life in tragic and brutal circumstances.

"We also gather to declare our solidarity with those who are suffering at this time, especially Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen, his brother Owen, his family, friends and neighbours and we offer our condolences, our prayers and our deepest sympathies to them at this time."

Eleven people have been bailed, with a further five released without charge. Those five are now being treated as witnesses.

The funeral for the youngster will be held on Thursday and his family invited all the city's wellwishers to attend and pay their respects.

People have been asked to wear their team's football shirts or bright colours in tribute to Rhys.

Thousands are expected to line the streets and the hearse will pass Everton's home ground, Goodison Park.

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